NEWS RELEASE

United States Department of Agriculture • Rural Development

1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200, Dover, DE  19904

Phone: (302) 857-3580 • Fax: (302) 857-3640 • TDD: (302) 857-3585 • Web: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov

Tri-County Council breaks ground at new HQ location

Salisbury, Md., December 21, 2009 --- Federal, state, local and private organizations joined together today to break ground on the new headquarters for the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore and several of its tenants ranging from public transportation to agencies that help with employment needs.   The project is receiving $6.5 million in federal and state support.

USDA Rural Development is supporting Tri-Co Council through two loan programs.  It is providing $3 million through the community facility direct loan program, and Hebron Savings Bank is providing $2.5 million with the support of Rural Development’s community facilities guaranteed loan program.  The Maryland Transit Administration is providing a $1 million dollar grant.

“This is a great program that demonstrates how the U.S. Government, through USDA Rural Development, can partner with communities, state agencies and other lenders to do what the local communities deem as important and vital to their rural residents,” said Jack Tarburton, USDA Rural Development State Director.  “From public transportation to health care, education and more, the Community Facilities program can help thousands of people in rural areas with access to improved services and facilities.”

“Hebron Savings Bank is pleased to partner with both the Tri-county Council and the USDA Rural Development program to bring these needed services to a convenient facility,” said W. Trent Pusey, AVP, Hebron Savings Bank.  “The new location will be a great asset to the area that our hometown community bank services.”

The loan funds are being used to purchase a 75,000 – square-foot office building, located on a 25-acre parcel, at 31901 Comtek Lane in Salisbury.  The facility was previously occupied by Powerwave Technologies, Inc. and will be renovated to accommodate Tri-County Council that currently employees approximately 150 employees.  It allows Tri-County Council to consolidate their five office and administrative facilities under one roof. The location will also be home to Shore Transit, a Greyhound bus station, The Lower Shore Workforce Alliance and One-Stop Job Market.   

“This facility is the culmination of several years of hard work and persistence by the members of the Tri-County Council,” said Mike Pennington, Executive Director Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore.  “The Tri-County Council is all about regional partnerships.  We have been fortunate to partner with USDA, MTA, MEDCO, DBED, MDP and the county and municipal governments in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties.”

           USDA Rural Developments mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents.  In 2009, the agency returned more than $412 million to rural Maryland.  USDA Rural Development funds more than 40 programs that support agriculture, business opportunities, homeownership, home repair, rental housing, broadband technology, public safety, health care, education, social and cultural needs and energy related projects.  Additional information on rural programs is available by calling their State Office at (302) 857-3580 or by visiting their website at www.rurdev.usda.gov.

“USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.”

To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.,

 Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).